Underwater generator

ABSTRACT

An underwater generator having an outside sealed stator mounted to a concrete base which, in turn, is anchored in a river bottom; a rotor rotatably carried by said stator by a plurality of bearing races, and a plurality of radially extending arms, each arm pivotally carrying a paddle, each paddle having a geometry operable for opening with water current and closing against water current.

O United States Patent [111 3, 04,942

[72] Inventor Curtis A. Nelmn [56] References Cited l39-B Poinsettia Court, Chula Vista, Calif. ITED STATES PATENTS 92010 833,361 [0/1906 Wilmore 290/42 X [21] Appl. No. 36,093 [22] Filed May 1,1970 3,209,156 9/1965 .Struble, Jr. 290/54 [45] Patented Sept. 14, 1971 Primary Examiner-Om L. Rader Assistant Examiner-W. E. Duncanson, Jr. Attorney-Richard K. MacNeill ABSTRACT: An underwater generator having an outside [54] GENERATOR sealed stator mounted to a concrete base which, in turn, is anchored in a river bottom; a rotor rotatably carried by said [52] U.S. Cl 290/54 R stator by a plurality of bearing races, and a plurality of radially [5 l] lnt.Cl F03!) 13/10 extending arms, each arm pivotally carrying a paddle, each [50] Field of Search 290/42, 43, paddle having a geometry operable for opening with water 53, 54 current and closing against water current.

PATENTED SEPI 41971 INVENTOR. CURTIS A. NELSON UNDERWATER GENERATOR BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an underwater generator and more particularly to an underwater generator having selfopening and closing paddles pivotally attached to radial arms.

According to the invention, a generator stator in cylindrical form is attached to a concrete base which, in turn, is anchored in a river bottom. A rotor is rotatably carried inside the stator by a plurality of sealed bearing races which, in turn, are coupled to a plurality of radially extending arms. Each arm pivotally carries a paddle at the end thereof, the arm having first and second stops for allowing the paddles to open as they are rotated with the current and pivotally close as they are rotated on the opposite side against the current resulting in an automatic rotation of the rotor dependent upon the water current flow.

An object of the present invention is the provision of an improved underwater generator.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved underwater generator which is rotated automatically by water current flow.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved underwater generator which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture and install and requires a minimum of maintenance.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the FIGS. thereof and wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a top view ofthe embodiment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to FIG. 1, a base 11 is anchored in a river bottom 12 carrying a cylindrical generator stator 13. A generator rotor 14 is rotatably carried by cylindrical generator stator 13 by sealed bearing races 16 and 17. Rotor 14 carries a plurality of radial arms 19, each of which terminate in a pivotally carried paddle 21. Paddles 21 are pivotally attached to radial arms 19 at 22. Race 17 also carries a plurality of radial arms 19, each of which terminate in a paddle 21 which is pivotally mounted to arms 19 at 22.

Referring to FIG. 2, concrete base is again shown at 11 carrying cylindrical stator 13 (not shown) which, in turn, rotatably carries rotor 14. Radial arms 19 are carried by a race (not shown) and terminate in a downcurrent stop 23 and an upcurrent stop 24 at right angles thereto. Paddles 21 are pivotally attached to radial arms 19 at 22, and are free to pivot between stops 23 and 24. Paddles 21 terminate in a curved portion 26. Tabs 25 extend from paddles 21.

OPERATION Referring to both of the FIGS. the operation will now be described with reference to a current flow indicated by arrow 27 in FIG. 1 and arrow 28 in FIG. 2. Assuming this flow and with particular reference to FIG. 2, the paddles 21 will be pivoted against stops 23 and will be carried in a counterclockwise direction by the river current. Tabs 25 shift the center of gravity of paddles 21 and effect an easier pivot.

Again, with respect to FIG. 2, as the uppermost paddle 21 continues to rotate counterclockwise, it will part from the stop 23 and begin to pivot toward the stop 24. Since it is going against the current, the current will attempt to hold it in alignment. Finally, paddles 21 will reach stop 24 just prior to the position shown as most downward and, as they continue in a downstream directions, they will be pivoted back to stop 23.

This automatic pivoting results in a maximum utilization of the downward current in rotating the stator 14 and a minimum drag on the opposite side of the rotor from the paddles turning in an upstream direction. Naturally, proper output lines would be taken from the unit and brought over to a shore distribution system.

It is pointed out, that while two sealed races are shown, the number of paddles and races would be limited only by the depth of the water and other practical considerations. It is further contemplated that a plurality of underwater generators would be utilized in any one underwater station resulting in an even output of generated electricity therefrom. While cover 14 is referred to as a rotor, it is to be understood that it is further contemplated that a step-up gear mechanism will be included within cover 14 to increase the speed of the actual electrical rotor carried therein which, in turn, will increase the frequency of the output.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:

1. An underwater generator comprising:

an outside sealed stator adapted for mounting to a concrete base anchored in a river bottom;

a rotor rotatably carried by said stator by a plurality of bearing races;

a plurality of radially extended arms coupled to said rotor;

and

a paddle pivotally carried by each of said arms, said paddle having a geometry operable for opening with water current and closing against water current. 

1. An underwater generator comprising: an outside sealed stator adapted for mounting to a concrete base anchored in a river bottom; a rotor rotatably carried by said stator by a plurality of bearing races; a plurality of radially extended arms coupled to said rotor; and a paddle pivotally carried by each of said arms, said paddle having a geometry operable for opening with water current and closing against water current. 